Bat Conservation International’s mission is to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet. Based in Austin, Texas, BCI is devoted to conservation, education and research initiatives involving bats and the ecosystems they serve. It was founded in 1982, as scientists around the world became concerned that bats, which are crucial for maintaining the balance of nature and the health of many human economies, were in alarming decline. Under the founding guidance of Dr. Merlin Tuttle, an internationally recognized authority on bats, the organization achieved unprecedented progress by emphasizing sustainable uses of natural resources that benefit both bats and people.

BCI’s conservation efforts have resulted in permanent protection for many of North America’s most important remaining bat caves, saved millions of bats from being accidentally buried during mine-safety closures and led to creation of the first national park in U.S. history to protect a tropical rainforest.

BCI has proven that bats and people can live together in harmony, with great mutual benefit. Bats are an irreplaceable and invaluable natural resource that simply must be conserved. Nevertheless, they still rank among the world’s most misunderstood and endangered wildlife. Hence, BCI’s continuing mission.

This week House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) announced his version of draft legislation to simplify the U.S. tax code, dubbed the “Tax Reform Act of 2014,” which has some decidedly negative implications for renewable energy — that is, if any of it makes it through Congressional compromise.

This week House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) announced his version of draft legislation to simplify the U.S. tax code, dubbed the “Tax Reform Act of 2014,” which has some decidedly negative implications for renewable energy — that is, if any of it makes it through Congressional compromise.